Father of Accused Maryland Cannibal From Kenya Speaks About Family, Life After Crime

Alexander Kinyua (left), 21, has been charged with murder and assault in connection with the death of his housemate(right)

Antony Kinyua says that his family has not been the same since his son, Alexander Kinyua, of Joppatowne, Maryland, was charged with first-degree murder in May for allegedly killing and cannibalizing their housemate, Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie.

The physics professor at Morgan State spoke to the AFRO briefly about returning to campus after his son, a former student at the Baltimore university, made national headlines.

“Things are not the same for sure,” the elder Kinyua said. “Things are different.”

Antony Kinyua said he has opted to continue teaching despite the tragedy that his family has been dealing with since his son, Alexander, 21, was arrested days after Agyei-Kodie, 37, went missing. His body was later found in the townhouse in the 500 block of Terrapin Terrace, the Kinyua family home where both men lived (READ: Alexander Kinyua of Joppatowne, Maryland Charged With First Degree Murder).

Antony Kinyua had allowed Agyei-Kodie, who was on hiatus from grad school at Morgan, to stay at the family home months earlier, authorities said. Alexander Kinyua had returned home after expulsion proceedings were started against him at Morgan for allegedly attacking another student with a basebat bat, authorities said.

Police said Agyei-Kodie’s head and hands were allegedly found in a box in the laundry room by Jarrod Kinyua, a younger son of Antony Kinyua, who called police. Alexander Kinyua allegedly told authorities he ate part of Agyei-Kodie’s heart and brain.

The elder Kinyua refused to discuss specifics of the case citing concern for his family. But when asked how he was faring, he smiled. “Well, I’m here,” he said.

Kinyua referred questions regarding his son’s case to their family lawyer, Donald Daneman, who would not speak to a reporter.

Alexander Kinyua is currently undergoing mental evaluation at a maximum-
security psychiatric hospital. If convicted in the killing, he may face the death penalty, authorities said.

While the Kinyua family has suffered tremendously through this tragedy, the Morgan State University family has shown their support for the Kinyuas. Antony Kinyua continues to teach a full schedule of classes. He does not shy away from discussing his son, though he won’t talk about specifics of the case.

While the tragedy is an issue his family has had to work through, he is aware of the concern of the students, staff and faculty. He is appreciative of the support.

“We are all together on this,” he said.

Source: AFRO